Range: Breeds across most of contiguous U.S. Absent from much of Pacific Northwest and Northern Great Plains. Winters in extreme Southeastern U.S., Southern Texas, and Southern California into Central America.

Identification: (Polioptila caerulea)

Like other gnatcatchers, this is a tiny active songbird. The upperparts are light blue-gray with a prominent white eye ring and white edges on the tertials. The tail is black with white outer tail feathers. The bill is fine, fairly short, and pale gray in color. The underparts are whitish. In alternate plumage, males show a blackish line on the forehead that extends over the eyes. Western populations are drabber overall, with less white on the tail. Western females may show a brownish wash on the back.

Length: 10 (cm)
Wingspan: 15 (cm)

Voice:

Calls and song are thin wheezy notes. Calls of western birds are harsher, more wren-like.

Habitat:

Deciduous forest, brush, chaparral.

Behavior:

Very active and vocal. Makes short fluttering flights between perches. Tail is often fanned and cocked upright.